Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1887-05-26
COMMUNICATED.
Lewiston, Idaho May %. 1887.


ago a suggestion in the TELLER about J
organizing Board of Trade, and men.
tioning few objects for its labor. 1t
occurs to Inc that one important measure
might proftably come within its scope.
That is the opening our two rivers to
free transit. A bridge has been dis
cussed aud abandoned as beyond our
means at present. but believe free
ferries might be established, and as our
city authorities do not feel warranted in
providing them, it might more convent
emily be undertaken by board of trade.
1t cannot be gainsaid that the com
mercial prosperity of Lewiston and the
tributary country would be greatly
enhanced by an untrammeled reciprocity
of trade. Hence all drawbacks thereto
must be removed. 1t would seem that
this matter would have to be met either
by joint-stock arrangement or general
subscription, probably the latter in
either case the board of trade would
easily manage,t. We once had the senti
ment of the people expressed in its favor
unanimously, it is not supposed that this
has changed. Had the matter then
been accomplished, doubtless now, We
should be in a condition to build bridges.
The experience of other towns has dem
onstrnted the fact that it is commercial
economy to expend money in making
all means Of access free and easy. What
| would be thought of that individual who
should locate in business and then charge
an admission fec, while all others in the
same business are of free access Which
would most likely succeed? Now Lewis
ton is finely located for business, but she
has over the entrance Admission fee
fifty cent" How long, business men,
do you think she can survive this
embargo? Are you willing that her fine
location her unparalleled climate; her
opportunities for first class inland town,
shall all be sacrificed on the shoals Of
inaction? But this is not all other in.
dictments conld be framed; not only
does she have to struggle against this
embargo, but to contend with acts Of
direct hostility by her own business men
Here we have the example Of men, who
have chosen this beautiful spot for
homes; for business to live in, and
perchance to die in, because nature has
not bridged her rivers, have built up
other places Of business on the other
side, removing all occasion for people ia
come in. Do you think this is business
DO you think it is wise? Would not
the concentration Of all this capital have
enabled you to free our rivers, to have
removed this sign of admission fee
from off the entrance, which hangs like
the ominous bird of evil above it
With as much zeal aud energy as il
devoted to a Fourth of July celebration
our rivers would be bridged. 1t il
observable that when we celebrate W,
free our ferries, as consequence, two OIL
three thousand people avail thomselve.
Of the opportunity and spend profitable
day, both to themselves and us. The
trade of the town would be at least
quadrupled by the removal of this sign
fifty" tina. the 100000 of present
trade would rise to 81, 250, 900; so te
the experience of other places of like
circumstances, for proof. Now woulJ
not argue from our own side alone, but
equally from the other. 1t is no less
true that the building up of large town
benefits the surrounding country fal
greater than several small ones for the
reason that the greater competition Of
trade makes better business for the town
and this in turn creates more ready
market for country produce, the make,
Of such town affords better variety
Of merchandise and the steady line Of
custom enables traders to fix lower
prices. In small towns where there il
no competition there is no life; there i.
no great number of consumers, ant
prices for what the farmers supply arr
necessarily low. lam not fully advised
as to cost Of constructing ferry, but
believe something like $500. Thet
for $4,000 the two ferries could be pu
in. 1t seems that this amount could b
easily raised by general subscription
operated upon plan similar to ioiu
stock companies. For the running o.
the ferry, competent person ought t.
be found for $500 per year. To meet
this, a moderate charge might be made
Of, say, IL cents Per team, requiring only
fourteen crossings per day. Think Of
the project and if you have any objec